Waikato Police are urging pedestrians, particularly older ones, to use pedestrian crossings and controlled intersections, after the second elderly woman in a week was struck down by a car on a busy Hamilton street.
District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said a 71-year-old woman was fighting for her life in Waikato Hospital after being struck down by a car at the north end of Victoria St about 11.20am yesterday.
"The incident is still under investigation by the Serious Crash Unit however it appears the woman has stepped out in front of a car on Victoria St, near the Housing NZ building.
"Suffering critical injuries the woman was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance."
Mr Tooman said of concern for Police was that this was the second such incident to happen, on the same street, in a week and he urged both pedestrians and motorists to take stock of the risks.
"Last week a 91-year-old woman died crossing Victoria St and now we have this incident.
"Pedestrians need to ensure they can be seen, they can do this by wearing bright clothing and crossing at lit controlled intersections or pedestrian crossings. Motorists need to drive to the conditions, if there are pedestrians about or its wet they need to slow down."
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